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Echocardiographic identification of the oblique vein of the left atrium: its relationship to the persistent left superior caval vein

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2010

Renata R. Linhares ,
Carlos E. Suaide Silva ,
Claudia G. Monaco ,
Luiz D. Cortez Ferreira ,
Manuel A. Gil ,
Juarez Ortiz ,
Robert H. Anderson  and
Vera D. Aiello
Renata R. Linhares
Affiliation:
OMNI–CCNI – Diagnosis Medicine, Echocardiography Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
Carlos E. Suaide Silva
Affiliation:
OMNI–CCNI – Diagnosis Medicine, Echocardiography Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
Claudia G. Monaco
Affiliation:
OMNI–CCNI – Diagnosis Medicine, Echocardiography Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
Luiz D. Cortez Ferreira
Affiliation:
OMNI–CCNI – Diagnosis Medicine, Echocardiography Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
Manuel A. Gil
Affiliation:
OMNI–CCNI – Diagnosis Medicine, Echocardiography Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
Juarez Ortiz
Affiliation:
OMNI–CCNI – Diagnosis Medicine, Echocardiography Laboratory, São Paulo, Brazil
Robert H. Anderson
Affiliation:
Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Cardiac Morphology, University College, London, United Kingdom
Vera D. Aiello*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Pathology, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil
*
Correspondence to: V. D. Aiello, Laboratory of Pathology, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo Medical School, Av. Dr Eneas Carvalho Aguiar, 44, 05403-000, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. Tel: +55 11 3069-5252; Fax: +55 11 3069-5279; E-mail: vera.aiello@incor.usp.br
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Abstract

Thus far, little has been written concerning echocardiographic identification of the oblique vein of the left atrium, or Marshall’s vein. There is much discussion, nonetheless, on the potential significance of the vein, or its ligamentous remnant, as an arrhythmic substrate. We describe here four patients in whom transthoracic echocardiography revealed a venous structure protruding within the cavity of the left atrium. We discuss the possibility that these structures represent Marshall’s vein, albeit probably as part of a persistent left superior caval vein.

Keywords

Cardiac veinsechocardiographyMarshall’s vein
Type
Original Articles
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , June 2010 , pp. 269 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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